Garmin Announces Android-Powered Monterra Outdoor GPS Device
Humberto Saabedra
Following the failure of its Garmin-Asus venture, which produced the nearly stillborn and poorly received Nuvifone amongst other similar devices between 2009-2010, Garmin has decided to jump back into Android device development with the forthcoming launch of its first Android-powered outdoor GPS handheld in the Monterra.
The Monterra features a transflective, glass-fronted touch display along with an unknown Android version (likely Ice Cream Sandwich with Google Apps support), an 8-megapixel camera with flash and geotagging support, 1080p video capture, 6GB of internal storage and microSD expansion slot. The device is also ruggedized, with an IPX7 water resistance rating, and can run on either an included rechargeable battery pack or AA batteries.
It also includes Wi-Fi, ANT+ connectivity, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC, a built-in FM radio with NOAA weather and SAME alerts, dual-band GPS and GLONASS receivers, a 3-axis compass with accelerometer and gyro, a UV sensor for monitoring the sun’s intensity and a barometric altimeter, which can also report altitude and predict weather based on pressure shifts.
The Monterra will also ship with a selection of preinstalled apps designed to take advantage of the extensive connectivity, such as the built-in PeakFinder. Pricing and availability is set for the 3rd quarter of the year at $699.99.
